Spray sprinkler



Nov. 22, 1955 H. N. RIDER SPRAY SPRINKLER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 9, 1953 m 4 R. 4 mr N E Z W mum /v r m A J.|| E N z I 9 W Kw Nov. 22, 1955 H. N. RIDER SPRAY SPRINKLER Filed Jan. 9, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Harry N Rmer ATTORNE Unite fittes Patent SPRAY SPRINKLER Harry N. Rider, Youngstown, Ohio, assignor to Automatic Sprinkler Corporation of America, Youngstown, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application January 9, 1953, Serial No. 330,480

7 Claims. (Cl. 299-421) This invention relates to a sprinkler such as used on automatic sprinkler systems for discharging water or fire extinguishing fluid and more particularly to a spray sprinkler.

. The principal object of the invention is the provision of an improved sprinkler capable of breaking up water into an evenly distributedspray and directing that spray in a desirable pattern.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a spray sprinkler that discharges Water laterally and down wardly in a wide pattern rather than outwardly and upwardly as has heretofore been common in the art.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a spray sprinkler of simple design characterized by its ability to break up and distribute water into fine spray form.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a spray sprinkler that is more efficient in its use of water so that fewer sprinklers in a system open and control a fire with less water and lower pressure than has heretofore been believed possible.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a spray sprinkler that is interchangeable with existing types of conventional sprinklers in various fire extinguishing systems including automatic sprinkler systems.

The spray sprinkler disclosed herein comprises an improvement in the art of sprinklers such as used in connection with automatic sprinkler systems and the like and wherein water or comparable fire extinguishing liquid is automatically released by predetermined temperature actuating a fusible link in the sprinkler.

Sprinklers have been used in the firt protection art for many years and have generally included some form of deflector against which the stream of water from the sprinkler is directed. In the past, such deflectors have served merely to break up the single column of water into droplets and distribute those droplets in an area around and above the sprinkler so that in the ordinary occupancy the sprinklers being normally positioned below the ceiling direct considerable volumes of water against the ceiling where it forms heavy droplets and falls to the floor.

The efliciency of the conventional sprinkler has resulted primarily from the use of the same with suitable distribution systems capable of supplying an adequate volume of water to the sprinkler at a relatively high pressure.

The spray sprinkler disclosed herein dilfers considerably from the conventional sprinkler heretofore known in the art in that for the first time the sprinkler is so formed that the column of water is directed against a combination deflector and director which serves to atomize the water and direct it laterally of the sprinkler over a considerably larger area than the comparable discharge pattern of a conventional sprinkler. p

Additionally, the spray sprinkler disclosed herein operates most effectively on approximately half the water pressure necessary with the conventional sprinklen and over a given period of time requires approximately one- "ice third less water than a conventional sprinkler. More importantly, the spray sprinkler provides more efiicient water distribution breaking up the water into finely divided spray and directing it over a larger area where it permits the most efilcicnt use of the water available to combat fire.

The spray sprinkler discharges all water laterally and downwardly in this wide pattern to cool and dissipate the hot gases from a fire and is, therefore, able to quickly extinguish moderate fires before ceiling temperatures become critical. Additionally, the wide unbroken pattern of water spray reduces surrounding air temperature at the ceiling so that sprinklers adjacent the fire area are not needlessly opened, thus preventing undesirable water damage.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and inthe details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being the intention to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for purposes of the disclosure, which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure l is a side elevation of the spray sprinkler.

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken on line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the spray sprinkler in open water distributing action.

Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken on line 44 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a vertical section of a modified form of spray sprinkler.

Figure 6 is a side view of the modified form of spray sprinkler showing the same in open water distributing position.

By referring to the drawings and Figures 1 and 2 in particular it will be seen that a spray sprinkler has been disclosed which comprises a frame 10 of substantially oval shape provided with 21 depending, outwardly threaded, tubular extension or neck ll, exteriorally threaded as at 12, and defining a vertical passageway extending through the lower central poruon ot' the Irame 10 and terminating in a valve seat 13.

The upper portion of the frame 10 includes a bell portion 14 having a vertically extending, inwardly threaded orifice 15 therethrough. The upper portion of the bell 14 is of a smaller diameter to form a shoulder 16 on which a deflector 17 and disc 18 are positioned in superimposed relation. The uppermost portion of the bell 14 extends above the upper surface of the disc 18 and is headed over as at 19 to secure the deflector 17 and disc 18 to the sprinkler frame 10.

The vertical opening through the tubular extension 11 terminating in the valve seat 13 is normally closed by a gasket 20 and a cap 21 which are held under tension on the valve seat 13 by levers 22 and 23, respectively. The levers 22 and 23 are held in superimposed position with an intermediate toggle pin 24 by a fusible link 25, as known in the art. The lever .23 fits into a depression in the cap 21 and the lever 22 fits into a depression in the bottom of an adjustment screw 26 which is threadably positioned in the bell 14, heretofore referred to. Suitable tension is maintained on the levers 22 and 23 and the cap 21 by the positioning of the adjustment screw 26 which is staked as at 29.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the frame, valve cap, levers and adjustment screw just referred to are conventional. The spray sprinkler disclosed herein differs from a conventional sprinkler in the formation of the bell portion 14, the deflector l7 and disc 18 in 3 that these portions have been substantially improved by structural change to accomplish the foregoing objects.

By referring to Figures 1, 2 and 4 of the drawings it will be seen that the bell portion 14 is slightly shorter than the comparable bell portion of a conventional sprinkler and that it is formed with a downward, inwardly taper approximately 9 from vertical so that in effect it becomes a cone having its apex directly above the center of the orifice defined by the valve seat 13.

The deflector 17 is essentially a flanged disc, the flange being turned downwardly on the peripheral edge of the disc and cut in a saw-toothed pattern to provide a plurality of depending tapered fingers 27. The disc body of the deflector 17 is formed with a central aperture and inclines upwardly and outwardly therefrom to a point adjacent the fingers 27. The disc 18 is also formed with a central aperture and inclines upwardly and outwardly therefrom to a point approximately half-way between said aperture and the peripheral edge of the disc, the inclinedportion lying at approximately 10 from horizontal and thereby matching the inclined upper surface of the deflector 17 against which it is positioned. The outer annular portion of the disc 18 is substantially horizontal and extends outwardly and beyond the downwardly extending fingers 27 of the deflector 17, as best shown in Figure 2 of the drawings.

By referring to Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings it will be observed that when the fusible link 25 is opened as from reaching a predetermined temperature and the links22 and 23 between the cap 21 and the adjusting screws have fallen away from the sprinkler, the cap and the gasket will be dislodged and water will emerge through the valve seat 13 and directly engage the lowermost part of the bell portion 14 and adjustment screw 26 which taper upwardly and outwardly and therefore divide the stream of escaping water into a cylindrical column.

In Figure 2 of the drawings the solid column of water is indicated by the letter W and the cylindrical column of water by the letter C. The cylindrical column of water flows up along the outer surfaces of the bell portion 14 about the entire circumference thereof and strikes against the upwardly and outwardly inclined disc body of the deflector 17 and thence against inner surfaces of the depending fingers 27.

It will thus be seen that the cylindrical column of water is caused to gradually enlarge in diameter and change its direction from substantially vertical to substantially horizontal by the tapered shape of the bell portion 14 and the lower surface of the deflector 17. This action effectively changes the solid vertical column of water to a substantially horizontal annular sheet of water which is thinner than the depending saw-toothed fingers 27 and the fingers are thus able to break up the thin annular sheet of water into a finely divided spray.

Those skilled in the art will observe that the vertical water column and its transformation into a horizontally moving finely divided spray, practically atomized, occurs by reason of the particular shape and relative positioning of the bell portion 14 of the sprinkler and the deflector 17, the Water following a path initially vertical to a path approximately horizontal.

' The outer upwardly inclined surface of the bell portion 14ofthe spray sprinkler and the lower outwardly and upwardly inclined surface of the deflector 17 are approximately 110 apart. Additionally, the area of the deflector 17 is considerably greater than that heretofore employed in sprinklers so that the initially solid column of water is delivered to the saw-toothed edge of the deflector in a substantially unbroken annular sheet.

The disc 18 lying above the deflector 17 and extending beyond the periphery thereof a distance substantially equal to that of the deflector itself directs the finely divided water particles laterally of the sprinkler and insures the formation of a relatively large pattern and prevents an upward travel of the finely divided particles. In Figure 3 of the drawings the spray pattern emerging from the sprinkler is indicated by the letter S.

It will thus be seen by those skilled in the art that the spray sprinkler hereinbefore described differs from the conventional sprinkler heretofore known in the art in that no water is distributed in coarse droplets and no water is directed against the ceiling as has heretofore been the case where it forms heavy droplets or streams falling to the floor below. On the contrary, the spray sprinkler operating on approximately half the water pressure of a conventional sprinkler and using approximately two-thirds the water in a comparable period of time will practically atomize all of the water and direct it laterally and downwardly in a larger than ordinary pattern so that hot gases from a fire are cooled and dissipated and whereby moderate fires are quickly extinguished before ceiling temperatures become critical.

In the event of severe fires developing an updraft of gases, the same carry finely divided spray against the ceiling for effective protection while simultaneously cooling the fire area below ignition temperature with the wide solid pattern of water spray.

Those skilled in the art will observe that modifications may be made in the spray sprinkler herein disclosed and one such modification resulting in a spray sprinkler of comparable efficiency is disclosed in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings. By referring thereto it will be seen that the modified spray sprinkler is similar to that hereinbefore described in connection with Figures 1 and 2 with the exception that the disc has been omitted.

In Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings the sprinkler frame is indicated by the numeral 30 with a bell portion 31. A deflector 32 is positioned on the bell portion 31 in the same manner as the deflector 27 heretofore referred to. The deflector 32 is provided with a central aperture facilitating such positioning. The deflector 32 inclines upwardly and outwardly from the central aperture thereof to the peripheral edge thereof which is downturned in a flange which in turn is cut to form a plurality of tapering saw-toothed fingers 33.

The bell portion 31 tapers upwardly and outwardly at an angle from vertical of approximately 9V2 and the major portion of the deflector 32 inclines upwardly and outwardly from its central point of engagement with the bell portion 31 of the sprinkler and at approximately 10 from horizontal.

A solid column of water delivered by the sprinkler when fused flows upwardly over the bell portion 31 and outwardly and upwardly along the bottom surface of the deflector 32, which bell portion 31 and deflector 32 change the solid column of water to a thin annular sheet which strikes the fingers 33 and is broken up into finely divided particles. A few of these particles continue to flow upwardly and outwardly, as shown in Figure 6 of the drawings and as indicated by the letters SS. The solid column of water in Figure 6 is indicated by the letter W.

The modified form of sprinkler shown in Figures '5 and 6 produces a spray pattern comparable in most respects with that of the other form of spray sprinkler hereinbefore described due to the incorporation of the novel deflector that is not as efficient in its upward control of the spray pattern produced as the preferred form of spray sprinkler.

It will thus be seen that the spray sprinkler disclosed herein while resembling a conventional sprinkler in many respects differs considerably therefrom in the formation of the bell portion of the sprinkler frame and more particularly in the design and positioning of the deflector 17 and disc 18.

The following table gives comparable results between the conventional standard sprinkler and the spray sprinkler described herein. Test fires in Class B combustibles consisted of atomized gasoline released at a constant rate. Test fires in Class A materials consisted T e st results of said bell portion, said deflector comprising a centrally aperturedmember having a downturned peripheral flange, said deflector inclining upwardly and outwardly from said aperture and its point of contact with said bell portion to the flanged marginal edge of the deflector, said 1 II 1 Water A or No. Total Type Sprinkler fi gg g ig g 1324?? Wood Sprin- Gals. Sprinkler Spacing G R i 051mg Loss, lbs. klers Water 1 Pressure G. P. M. Charred Opened Used Standard... x 10 5 12. 7 0. es s. 5 s. 75 150 17 216 01855 A {Spray 10x10 2.1 9.5 0.65 0 0 o 7 66% Standard..- 10 x 10 22 0. s5 15 s 171 11 242 Class A {Spray 10 x10 9 16.5 .85 o 0 19 in 165 Standard 10 x 10 as 32 1.18 12. 5 155 1a 320 Class A Fire {Spray 10 x10 19 24 1.28 o o 25 14 336 Standard.. 10 x 10 50 40 1. 91 50 10 Gasoline 11 440 Class B {Spray 10 x 10 so 31 1. 91 o 0 Fire. 11 341 It will thus be seen that the spray sprinkler disclosed herein meets the several objects of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a sprinkler having a frame with a water discharge opening and a conical bell portion above said discharge opening; a deflector secured to said bell portion, said deflector comprising a centrally apertured lower disc having a downturned peripheral flange, said deflector flaring upwardly and outwardly from said aperture and its point of contact with said bell portion, said flange being serrated from its lower edge to provide a plurality of tapered depending fingers and a centrally apertured upper disc positioned over said deflector, said upper disc flaring upwardly and outwardly from its aperture to a point midway between said aperture and the peripheral edge of said disc to form a horizontally extending annular flange disposed in a plane above and outwardly of said tapered depending fingers.

2. In a sprinkler having a frame with a water discharge opening and a conical bell portion above said discharge opening; a deflector secured to the upper part of said bell portion, said deflector comprising a centrally apertured member having a downturned peripheral flange, said deflector flaring upwardly and outwardly from said aperture and its point of contact with the upper part of said bell portion, said flange being cut in a sawtoothed pattern to form a plurality of tapered depending fingers and a centrally apertured disc positioned over said deflector, said disc flaring upwardly and outwardly from its aperture to a point even with the flange of the deflector and being then flat to the peripheral edge of said disc and projecting radially from the deflector the entire circumference thereof to form a flat horizontally extending annular flange above and outwardly of said tapered depending fingers.

3. In a sprinkler having a frame with a water discharge opening and a conical bell portion above said discharge opening; a circular deflector secured to said bell portion, said deflector comprising a centrally apertured member having a downturned peripheral flange, said deflector inclining upwardly and outwardly from said aperture and its point of contact with said bell portion, said flange cut in a saw-toothed pattern to form a plurality of tapered depending fingers and a centrally apertured disc positioned over said deflector, said disc inclining upwardly and outwardly from said aperture to a point midway between said aperture the flanged peripheral edge of said disc and then being flat to its periphery and forming a horizontally extending annular flange disposed above and projecting outwardly beyond said tapered depending fingers.

4. In a sprinkler having a frame with a water discharge opening and a conical bell portion above said discharge opening; a deflector secured to the upper end flange cut in a saw-toothed pattern to form a plurality of tapered depending fingers, and a centrally apertured disc positioned on the upper surface of said deflector, said disc inclining upwardly and outwardly from said aperture the peripheral edge of said disc and for the remainder of its diameter being flat to form a horizontally extending annular flange disposed above and projecting outwardly of said tapered depending fingers.

5. In a sprinkler having a frame with a water discharge opening in the lower part thereof and a conical bell portion in the upper part thereof and directly above said water discharge opening; the conical bell portion having surfaces extending upwardly and outwardly at an incline of approximately 10 from vertical, a two-part deflector on said bell portion, one part of which comprises a disc having a plurality of spaced tapered depending fingers on its peripheral edge and the other part of which comprises a secondary disc resting upon and of greater diameter than said first mentioned disc and projecting radially from the periphery thereof, the lower surface of said first part of said deflector inclining upwardly and outwardly to said depending fingers at about 10 from horizontal.

6. In a sprinkler having a frame with a water discharge opening in the lower part thereof and a vertically disposed conical bell portion in the upper part thereof positioned directly above said water discharge opening; the conical bell portion having surfaces inclined upwardly and outwardly at approximately 10 from vertical, a two-part deflector carried by the upper end of said bell portion, one part of which deflector comprises a disc having a plurality of spaced tapered depending fingers about its peripheral edge and the other part of which deflector comprises a secondary disc of greater diameter than said first part having portions projecting radially from the periphery of the first part, said discs each flaring upwardly and outwardly to annular points thereon adjacent said depending fingers, said secondary disc having a flat marginal portion constituting a horizontal annular flange projecting from the flaring portion thereof and outwardly beyond the fingers, the angle of the flaring portions of said discs being about 10 above horizontal.

7. In a sprinkler having a vertical open frame having side portions and top and bottom portions, a vertical neck carried by the bottom portion and having a vertical liquid passage therethrough, a downwardly tapered conical bell portion carried by the upper portion of said frame in axial alignment with said neck, and a deflector carried by the upper end of said bell portion above said frame, said deflector including upper and lower circular discs of stitf sheet material, said lower disc flaring upwardly from the bell portion to its periphery and about its periphery having a depending flange serrated to pro- 8. Ba ed'ih the file of this patent STATES HATENTS 'Fan. 3'', 893

-Marti'n 4... June 26; 1 906 Wilhelm June 12, 1945 FQR-EIGN PATENTS- France Nov. 5, 1920 

